Everything is energy. From the birds chirping outside of your bedroom window to the light bulbs in your home providing a warm steady glow, energy is all around you. The birds and the lights in your home draw from their own respective energy sources, and so do you. Did you know that you are composed […]

From the birds chirping outside of your bedroom window to the light bulbs in your home providing a warm steady glow, energy is all around you.

The birds and the lights in your home draw from their own respective energy sources, and so do you.

Did you know that you are composed of seven energy points that contribute to your mood, level of enthusiasm and even productivity?

Ask yourself the following:

Is your procrastination preventing you from achieving your goals?

Do you struggle with managing stress levels and have a difficult time enjoying life moment to moment?

Do you have a difficult time setting boundaries for yourself, and often feel overwhelmed with responsibility?

Do you wish you had a clearer direction in life, or seek a stronger connection to your spirituality?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, it may be that one or more of your chakras—otherwise known as energy points in your body—are blocked.

In other words, if you are struggling with your workload, physical health or self-confidence, you can open your chakras and transform any area of your life!

Is There Really Such a Thing as Chakras?

Whether you are struggling to pay off your debt, wanting to find success in love or are yet to discover the right direction in life you should take, unblock your chakras, and find the solution.

When you open up your chakras, you can achieve more success than you ever thought possible!

Your body isn’t just composed of cells, organs, muscle and tissue. Within your body, there are seven centers, or “powerhouses,” through which energy flows.

Your chakras are located along the midline of your body, and from top to bottom, are as follows:

At the crown of your head.

Above your eyes, known as the “third eye” chakra.

Your throat.

Your heart.

Your navel.

The sacral chakra (located in the reproductive region of your body).

At the “root” or base of your body.

Each chakra is triggered by your various mental states, and when blocked, affects physical states of being. For example, if you are having issues involving your sexuality in a relationship, your sacral chakra may need to be unblocked.

If you are struggling with trusting others, your root chakra may need to be unblocked, as this energy point is associated with trusting others and being secure with the self.

Everyone needs to balance and realign their chakras from time to time. No matter how in control of your life you may feel, unexpected events and unforeseen experiences can cause your mental state to change, and even transform your body and mind.

As a result, your stress levels can and do directly affect your energy points. And when they remain blocked, your physical and mental health can suffer—even causing illness and disease to manifest.

Visualize the Opening of Your Chakras

While every chakra represents a different type of energy (from sexuality to communication with others), it doesn’t take long to understand how each individual one works for you—and when it remains closed, against you.

If you’re new to chakra opening, don’t concentrate on each individual one. Simply spend ten minutes a day visualizing the energy flowing freely in your body.

Close your eyes and picture your chakras and where they are located.

When you’re ready to start opening your chakras, imagine each at its designated place within your body: your crown chakra at the top of your head, your heart chakra located within your chest, etc.

Imagine each of these chakras glowing with love, harmony and pure bliss. As thoughts enter your mind, take a deep breath and give them permission to leave. Then, redirect your attention to your chakras. Imagine each chakra surrounded by a bright white light.

Picture each chakra opening up like a flower, and transforming into a bigger, brighter white light. Focus on the feelings that radiate from these chakras: calmness, all-knowing, assurance and the sensation of being grounded.

Continue to breathe deeply and maintain this image of bright, opening chakras for a few more minutes. Picture your body as a free-flowing energy machine!

Repeat this exercise daily, and you’ll notice that the physical and mental conditions you have experienced in the recent past will dissipate quickly, powerfully and effortlessly.

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Everything in your life is a collection of lessons learned about love. Within those lessons of love, you learn sub-lessons about yourself, such as patience, forgiveness, compassion and even a commitment to become better than you were the day before. In a nutshell, your greatest teachers in life are those you choose to be in […]

Everything in your life is a collection of lessons learned about love.

Within those lessons of love, you learn sub-lessons about yourself, such as patience, forgiveness, compassion and even a commitment to become better than you were the day before.

In a nutshell, your greatest teachers in life are those you choose to be in a relationship with!

Relationships are the “stuff” that life is truly made of, and whether you realize it or not, you’re surrounded by them.

Some of your relationships may be obvious (such as the relationship you have with your spouse or children) while others may not be. They are as follows:

The romantic relationship with your life partner or spouse;

The parental relationship with your child or children;

The friendship you have with those you grew up with, or have become friends with in adulthood;

The relationships you have with your parents, siblings and extended family;

The relationships you have with those you encounter daily: co-workers, your boss, the barista at your favorite coffee shop, clients, neighbors, teachers, drivers you pass on the freeway, etc.

When your relationships go smoothly, it’s because both parties (you and the other person) are simultaneously getting your needs met.

Everyone’s happy.

Each person is satisfied with the outcome. However, a relationship in which everything goes perfectly at all times is impossible to maintain.

So, what do you do when you’ve hit a rough patch, or become indifferent with those you are forced to communicate with daily?

Insist on the good, focus on what you’ve learned about yourself in the process and learn how to “up your game” — even when the other player isn’t following the “rules”!

Here are some ways to walk along the sunny side of the street in relationships (and beyond) so that you can always rise to the occasion and make your relationships the best they can possibly be.

Put the Past in the Past (and Keep it There)

Past events, experiences and interactions with others are in the past. So why do you insist on keeping them in the present?

One of the biggest and most influential game changers in relationships is staying present. It’s also one of the most transformative ways you can take a troublesome, stress-inducing relationship and turn it into a life-changing one.

Do you tend to bring up a painful moment in your marriage from months ago — as though it’s happening in the here and now?

If you do, you’re not allowing your relationship to thrive, and you aren’t giving yourself or your spouse a fighting chance to make things better for the future.

To leave the past in the past, try this simple exercise.

Close your eyes and imagine with as much intensity as possible the painful moments of your past being packed up in a suitcase. Imagine going through the emotions of pain, anger, and resentment.

Visualize each moment individually — harsh words that were exchanged, a moment in which your partner was insensitive instead of “being there” for you, etc. — and put it neatly into your suitcase.

When that’s done, envision yourself locking up this suitcase and throwing it out of your window. It no longer exists. It’s floating away in the sea of the past. Now, imagine that you are walking on a long, dirt country road.

The road extends as far as the eye can see, with only you and your partner to determine where it will lead you.

Open your eyes. Breathe deep. Give in to what lies ahead and let that be your focus point. Keep the past in the past and your relationship will take a drastic turn for the better!

Review Milestones You’ve Achieved Weekly

No relationship is perfect, which is why during the tough times, it can help to set goals. For example, if you feel like your boss is always complaining about your sales record for the quarter, set a goal such as “responding to his comments without reacting to them.”

If you tend to emotionally react by giving your boss a dirty look or sarcastic comment, a “bad” relationship will surely continue.

But you hold more power than you think you do!

You can attract positivity and appreciation into your relationship simply by taking the lead.

Set mini-goals, and celebrate when you’ve achieved them! Notice how the dynamic between you and those people in your life who used to bother you or inflict negativity on you improves—simply because they’re following your lead of positivity!

Express Gratitude for the Ones You Love

If you need to adjust your mood in your relationship, there’s no quick fix quite like gratitude. Gratitude, which is the practice of expressing appreciation for things (and in this case, people) in your life, can instantly change your focus.

It can allow you to fixate on what you love about your relationships, instead of what you loathe.

For five minutes a day, make a list on paper (or in your head) about everything you love about the relationship that’s currently giving you grief. For example, if you have trouble getting through to your teenager about the importance of studying, think of as many things as you can that you love about him/her.

It could be how proud you are of his athletic achievements, or what a kind-hearted person she is.

Taking the time to remind yourself of the many good qualities a person brings to the table can allow you to attract more of the positive to your relationship.

Everything is energy, including the relationships in your life. Bring positive energy to each and every one, and you’ll receive positivity from others.

You hold more power than you realize, and when you take the lead by coming from a place of love and appreciation, you’ll be the ongoing recipient of happy and healthy relationships — guaranteed!

]]>http://www.enlightenmentgateway.com/law-of-attraction/positive-thoughts-for-love-and-life/feed/0How to Be Spiritual Every Day of the Weekhttp://www.enlightenmentgateway.com/uncategorized/how-to-be-spiritual-every-day-of-the-week/
http://www.enlightenmentgateway.com/uncategorized/how-to-be-spiritual-every-day-of-the-week/#commentsTue, 04 Mar 2014 09:15:09 +0000http://www.enlightenmentgateway.com/?p=998

Spirituality is the thread that connects us all together. Religion, ethnicity and educational background have nothing to do with it. Despite our physical differences and various upbringings, we are all the same with a sense of spirituality that connects us. Because of a need we all have to connect with our source, or our true […]

Religion, ethnicity and educational background have nothing to do with it. Despite our physical differences and various upbringings, we are all the same with a sense of spirituality that connects us.

Because of a need we all have to connect with our source, or our true inner self, you may wonder how you can achieve a deeper purpose, feel more connected with yourself and go within instead of looking outwards for life’s answers.

You may not quite know how to be spiritual, no matter how desperate you are for that “missing piece” of life’s puzzle. When it comes to identifying your sense of spirituality and what will allow you to feel aligned with yourself and the Universe, there’s no right or wrong answer.

Whichever way you go on your spiritual path is the right way.

Here are several to get you moving toward peace and away from judgment and doubt.

Once you put these tactics into play, you’ll feel more powerful, fulfilled and prosperous than you ever have!

Let Go of Control and Enjoy the Ride

Whether you realize it or not, you are part of a dozen relationships in your life. You have a relationship with your parents, your boss, your children, your siblings, your spouse, your clients, your neighbors — the list goes on and on.

It’s only natural to want to control every interaction and especially, every outcome of these important relationships in your life.

It’s what makes you human, and what makes you connect to others.

Just like the ebb and flow of life, no relationship can stay perfectly in harmony all of the time. That’s because the occasional conflict or miscommunication presents an opportunity to learn, evolve and grow.

Additionally, your spiritual self is growing through the tough times too, so let go.

Loosen the grip.

When you begin to let go of expectation, you’ll see that what remains is an opportunity you didn’t previously realize was available to you.

When you practice enjoying the moment for what it is (no matter what the ultimate outcome will be) you can enjoy the ride there more than you ever have!

Be Grateful for the Good and Bad

Spirituality is about connecting with your true source — the essential core of who you are. No matter what complaints you have about yourself, or “flaws” you feel you possess, your true self is pure and perfect.

When you practice gratitude, which involves being appreciative for every small and big thing in your life, you achieve harmony in alignment with the Universe, your true self, and the moment as it is.

There’s no hidden agenda with gratitude — just an attitude that everything you have in your life (from the balance in your bank account to your body shape) is perfect as is.

Gratitude is an instant happiness booster, as well as a great way to connect with yourself because it instantly transforms your mindset.

Focus on Faith, Not Fear

Every day, uncertainties in life present themselves. From the fluctuating state of the economy to potential traffic that keeps you from getting to work on time, it’s tempting to dwell on the negative.

Uncertainties tend to bring on fear, worry and angst. The more you dwell on it, the further you remove yourself from the truth about the matter.

The Universe has it all taken care of, so sit back and have a little faith!

Spiritually speaking, you’re right where you should be. When you focus on quieting your mind daily, and giving yourself the time to go within (instead of looking to others for answers to life’s questions) you’ll discover the profound truth.

You’ll discover that everything you need, are curious about or feel is missing, is within you — your spiritual self. So have a little faith and trust that the Universe has your back.

It’s got this under control, so trust the process.

Enjoy learning about your spiritual self. It’s a journey, and worth every step of the waythere.

The Secret isn’t really a secret at all. Although the book became an instant best-seller, what it introduced was an ancient, Universal truth that belongs to each and every one of us. The “secret” is the law of attraction. Once you learn how to use the secret, you can attract people, places and things to […]

Although the book became an instant best-seller, what it introduced was an ancient, Universal truth that belongs to each and every one of us. The “secret” is the law of attraction.

Once you learn how to use the secret, you can attract people, places and things to you instantly and effortlessly. Think you can do without harnessing the secret? Ask yourself the following questions:

Are you tired of feeling stuck in your career, or not making as much money as you feel you’re worth?

Do you tend to feel stagnant from time to time, as though there is something more in your love life, social life or work life you could be striving for?

Do you dream of having the means to travel the world, live in a bigger house or be with the partner of your dreams?

The Secret is the way there.

No matter what you want to attain in life — financially, emotionally, or physically — you can and will achieve it when you use the secret. Learn what it is, and how to harness it for your happiness and health!

Focus on Love (Not Fear)

When The Secret first hit the bookstores, it was for many, a whole new way of thought. The basic concept behind the secret is that in order to harness positive results, you have to first harness positive thoughts.

To put it another way: Attract the right romantic partner, secure a lucrative job opportunity or even move into the house of your dreams with the power of positive thinking!

There are only two emotions: love and fear.

When we come from a place of love, we feel thankful for what we have. We feel joy for the people and circumstances in our life. We take each moment as it comes, and look on the bright side of things.

But when we experience life through fear, we focus on anger, jealousy and envy, and we act competitively with others.

We concentrate on the regret and guilt we experienced from past life lessons, or spend our time fearing what may never come to us in the future.

Often, we feel “stuck” in one aspect of our life and unable to move on, emotionally speaking.

Act Appreciative for Everything That Comes Your Way

When you use the secret in your life, you are able to essentially become a magnet for all the things you want, simply by focusing on what it is you want!

On the other hand, if you’re not getting what you want (a job offer, more money or a relationship with the person of your dreams), you’re focusing on the negative.

Begin by acting appreciative for every single thing you have. This may feel a bit strange to do at the beginning, but make this part of your morning ritual, and everything in your life will begin to shift.

Feeling stuck in a rut, or overwhelmed with debt?

When you focus on the miserable job you have or the debt you’ve accrued, you’ll attract more debt, more work problems and more reasons to worry.

Shift everything from your income to your sex life by making a list of each person, place and thing you’re grateful for.

Quickly and sometimes even instantly, you’ll see change come into your life. When you continually practice the secret, you’ll discover that positive change is here to stay!

Create a Vision Board

A vision board is one of the quickest and easiest ways to start attracting abundance into your life. And, if you’re a beginner to the law of attraction, it’s the best way to transform negative thoughts into positive ones!

Start with a blank bulletin board or large poster board. Cut out images from magazines or old photographs that are representative of anything you want to achieve in your life right now.

For example, if you want to lose weight, cut out a picture of the athletic, toned body you’d like to have. If you dream of traveling to Hawaii, cut out pictures you find in magazines, and pin them up on your vision board.

Then, focus on your vision board for a few minutes every day. Imagine what it’s like to be there, and to have achieved that goal.

Life can at times be busy, complicated and hectic. Between taking care of your family’s needs, meeting the demands of your boss and achieving your personal aspirations, it can seem hard to find the time to reflect and unwind. Ask yourself the following: Do you tend to keep your cool, or lose it under stressful […]

Between taking care of your family’s needs, meeting the demands of your boss and achieving your personal aspirations, it can seem hard to find the time to reflect and unwind.

Ask yourself the following:

Do you tend to keep your cool, or lose it under stressful situations?

Do you wish you could have just half an hour a day for yourself, but can’t seem to fit it in?

Do your stress, fear and worry about the future prevent you from achieving more happiness in the present moment?

Mediation is the perfect exercise for anyone who needs clarity, peace of mind, happiness or a time of reflection. It’s no longer a “New Age” practice, but an “everyone, anytime” exercise that gives you the opportunity to recharge your creative battery and reconnect you to your inner voice — and inner self.

But what does that mean?

When you commit to a daily meditation practice, your perspective, attitude and health change for the better!

The best part of all?

Meditation doesn’t require a costly gym membership or personal trainer. Breath, empty your mind of its constant chatter and relax—meditation can be done in any room of your house! Here’s how.

Make It Consistent

There are endless benefits of mediation. From a sounder night’s sleep to stress relief, meditation helps you to improve your self-confidence, achieve weight loss goals and even help you forgive others.

Improve your attitude about life, love and your overall purpose by making it a daily habit.

Even if you’ve never meditated before, you can do this by choosing a room in your home you feel most comfortable in.

It could be your bedroom, living room or a spare room. Just be sure to pick a room that is quiet and free from distraction.

Any time of the day or night is perfectly fine to meditate but starting your day by clearing your mind and connecting with your center may be the ideal time to meditate. Commit to a meditation practice first thing in the morning, and you’ll be less tempted to skip it!

Learn to Become Aware of Your Breath

Focusing on your breath may seem unnatural at the beginning. After all, when was the last time you actually paid attention to the motion of your inhale and exhale?

You just have to breathe. Sit in a comfortable position, whether that’s sitting upright with your legs crossed in front of you, or lying down on your back. Inhale through your nose until you’ve counted to five.

Hold for three. Then, exhale through your mouth until you’ve counted to five. Repeat, until the thoughts in your mind have dissipated and you begin to feel relaxed from head to toe.

Personalize the Experience

Meditation is a personal experience, which is why it’s so important to find the right type of meditation for you.

Experiment with various styles so you can find the perfect one for you. For example, if you love being outdoors, try meditating in your backyard. If you have an active imagination, try mantra meditation (which involves repeating an affirmation or mantra throughout.)

Meditation is beneficial for any age, any religion and any walk of life. Best of all, it’s free! Enjoy the convenience of meditating at home and reap the benefits of a relaxed body, a peaceful mind and a positive attitude.

For some, anger is a suppressed emotion they rarely tap into. For others, it’s something they avoid altogether. But for many, it’s explosive and difficult (at best) to manage. Anger is something everyone has to deal with. The question is, how can you best manage yours? The Saturday Night Live alum (and movie star) Adam […]

For some, anger is a suppressed emotion they rarely tap into. For others, it’s something they avoid altogether. But for many, it’s explosive and difficult (at best) to manage.

Anger is something everyone has to deal with. The question is, how can you best manage yours?

The Saturday Night Live alum (and movie star) Adam Sandler comically portrays his anger in a way many people can relate to, such as when he’s a minute too late to order his favorite fast food breakfast at McDonald’s. When the clerk tells him they stopped serving breakfast, he “flies off the handle” and lashes out. He doesn’t seem to have control over his anger (like many other people), and he goes through life feeling as though he could lose control at any minute.

Do you relate? Is your anger getting the best of you? Ask the following questions in order to find out:

Would your co-workers, children, friends or family define you as having a “short fuse?”

Have your angry outbursts ever cost you a job, a friend or a relationship?

Have you ever felt guilty after yelling at your spouse or children—while feeling helpless to control those outbursts?

Does your stress level get out of control any time you’re cut off in traffic, or when a stranger accidentally bumps into you on the subway?

When expressed the right way, anger is a very healthy (not to mention necessary) emotion to have. But expressed in the wrong way (such as when you embarrass, humiliate or lash out at another with a loud voice or threatening language), it’s time for some serious damage control.

These three easy steps will help you learn to deal with your anger positively so you can be in control at all times (and improve your relationships as a result)!

Find a Creative Outlet for Your Anger

Do you yell because that’s the only way you know to release and express your anger? Do you “lose it” every time your boss disregards your ideas, or your toddler hits his little brother? If you’re prone to acting out in a rage (such as yelling at an innocent passerby to release the anger you have), it’s time to give yourself the number one rule for the “short fuse predicament”—a big time out.

Many people have a hard time controlling their anger because the only way they know to release it is by verbally retaliating to the person who has made them angry in the first place. Since anger is an emotion, your angry outbursts are coming from an emotional place. Learn to deal with the emotion. When you have it under control, you can calmly discuss those feelings with the person who triggered your anger.

For example, if you’re used to yelling at your toddler who doesn’t like to share his toys with his siblings, give yourself a time out the next time you want to yell. Remind yourself that it’s not your child, but his behavior, that made you angry.

Give yourself a few minutes to distance yourself from the emotion and/or situation. Grab a cup of coffee and read the paper, or distract yourself from intense, negative thoughts by calling a friend or taking a walk.

After a few minutes, revisit your anger and contemplate why you’re angry. When you’re calm and you’ve given yourself a time out, it’s easier to communicate with others—and you lessen the risk of a heated argument.

Think Now, Speak Later

When you’re used to immediately reacting to your anger, it’s easy to forget the foolproof rule you learned as a child in school: If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all! It’s as true today as it was then—people don’t respond well when you act as though you’re attacking or threatening them. When you start feeling angry, think before speaking and resist saying anything at all (for the time being.)

Imagine putting yourself in their shoes. Would you be open-minded and prone to apologizing if someone came to you while yelling profanities and accusing you of cutting in front of them in line—on purpose?

Deep down, everyone wants to be treated well. Everyone wants to be fair and be treated fairly. Do yourself and your anger a huge favor: Treat those around you as though they didn’t mean to do whatever made you angry, and you will able to shift the entire conversation from defensive assumptions to a place of peaceful communication in a heartbeat.

Turn Angry Outbursts into Awesome Communication

Just like any other form of self-improvement, anger management gives you the opportunity to break out of the old and into the bigger and better! Once you’ve begun to take a time out in order to diffuse intense feelings, and have begun to think about what it is you really want to say (instead of saying something you can’t take back), you can transform how you express anger and do it in a healthy, positive way that will make everyone happy!

For example, if a stranger bumps into you and spills his latte all over your crisp white shirt, consider thinking about what you really want to say. In other words, give it the old “anger switcheroo.” Switch from your usual comment of “You jerk! Look what you did!” to “Hey, we all spill things from time to time. I’m just glad I didn’t wear my designer shirt today!”

When you take a breather before reacting, you can transform your anger, your communication and your relationships. All it takes is a belief that you have control over it (no matter how short a fuse you have), and with that belief comes the breakthrough. You can go from angry to awesome in three steps a day!

You love listening to music any time of the day or night, as it has the power to instantly distract you from stressful thoughts and make you feel a world away from the pressures and demands of your work life. On the other hand, you don’t know how you’d cope without your morning meditation. It grounds you, […]

You love listening to music any time of the day or night, as it has the power to instantly distract you from stressful thoughts and make you feel a world away from the pressures and demands of your work life. On the other hand, you don’t know how you’d cope without your morning meditation. It grounds you, sets you up for success and provides you with a mental “clean slate.”

Meditation and music are two of the best ways to raise your vibration, improve your mood and increase your focus. So what happens when you meditate with music? Together, they become one of the fastest ways to harness happy, can-do thoughts, even on your most anxiety-provoking day (with the power to turn that frown upside down within minutes!).

With this powerful duo, you’ll achieve nothing less than a happy body and a happy mind. It’s just the recipe for success you’ve been searching for! Here’s how to go about it the right way, so your “oms” and beats are perfectly in sync.

Choose a Calm Environment (Free of Distraction)

Achieving a relaxed state is all about location, location, location. What’s the point to meditating at all if you’re going to be interrupted by the phone or your loud next-door neighbor?

The whole point of meditating is to give yourself the opportunity to turn off the internal chatter of your mind and allow yourself the time to relax and reconnect with your higher self.

When you meditate in a noise-free zone (such as your bedroom, your home office or your living room), you give yourself the perfect setup for meditation success. Enhance your experience by picking out a piece by your favorite composer or downloading a CD of nature sounds, then giving those calming beats and rhythms a chance to enhance your meditating experience!

Experiment with Different Instrumental Music

Just as there are different forms of meditation (mantra, simple breathing and guided meditation), there is an assortment of music styles. It’s up to you to try them all out in order to find the best one—the one that makes you focus, relaxes your mind and body, and enriches your precious “personal time.”

Try any and all music and background sounds for starters: Celtic, ocean waves, sounds of a forest or meadow, classical piano, Native American or a track that is geared specifically for theta meditation (such as binaural beats).

Focus on How Your Body Responds

Some music may move along too slowly for you, while others may be too loud. Some artists’ tracks may be so relaxing that they make it difficult to stay awake while meditating. Others may be too energizing, which makes it hard to concentrate on your breath.

Like anything new that you add to your daily routine, it’s crucial to experiment in order to find out how your body responds to different things. Try out various artists and genres. What kind of music allows you to feel energized and relaxed? What type of music or background sounds (e.g. classical vs. ocean sounds) do you tend to gravitate towards? Through the process of elimination, you can find the perfect music for your meditation!

Notice the Difference a Song Makes

Whether you’re experienced at meditation or you’re brand new to it, focusing on your breath and quieting your mind can be a challenge. It can even feel uncomfortable at times. Allow yourself to have an easier time meditating: rely on a relaxing audio track so that you can stay engaged and in the present moment (instead of putting meditation on the back burner of your growing to-do list).

You’ll soon find out—if you don’t know already—what a difference a song truly makes on your attitude and your state of mind.

Meditate with music, and you will instantly have the perfect opportunity to connect, recharge and concentrate on the most important things of all—your wellbeing, health and happiness!

If asked how good you are at remembering the name of a person you just met, would you give yourself a perfect score, or admit it’s not your strongest quality? Don’t feel too badly, because the truth is that even if your best friend doesn’t need a grocery list to remember all the items she need to […]

If asked how good you are at remembering the name of a person you just met, would you give yourself a perfect score, or admit it’s not your strongest quality?

Don’t feel too badly, because the truth is that even if your best friend doesn’t need a grocery list to remember all the items she need to purchase, or never forgets a face or name of anyone she meets, most people can’t. That’s because, just like your local politician or news anchor who routinely reads off of a script or teleprompter when on the air, most of us aren’t born with the ability to remember random bits of information off the top of our head—but that doesn’t mean you can’t develop this useful talent with some practice.

Ask yourself if any of the following has happened to you:

You just read a funny joke, but when you try to tell it, you miss the main concept and go straight for the punch line. As a result, your joke bombs, leaving you utterly embarrassed!

You remember faces, but not names! It never fails … you have to ask what a person’s name is just moments after they’ve told you.

You’ve spent hours going over the questions and answers for your upcoming biology exam, but when it comes time to take the test, you can’t remember what you’ve spent so much time trying to learn!

You’re trying to close a deal with a very important client, which you could do—if only you could remember your company’s impressive statistics!

Having a photographic memory—which is the ability to vividly remember things, people, places and facts—is often something people are born with. If you weren’t, though, and remembering random bits of information is something you’re dying to achieve, there’s good news on the horizon!

You can teach yourself how to crank up your memory and use it in a new, amazing way.

Here are two simple steps to achieving a mind-blowing memory—both of which you can use today to help improve your recall ability by tomorrow!

Step One: Believe It to Achieve It

When you really want something—a new car, a better-paying job, or a photographic memory—how do you expect to get it when you don’t really believe you can? Just like with anything worth having in your life, achieving a photographic memory requires a belief that with some practice, nothing is out of the scope of possibility.

It’s crucial to realize that achieving a photographic memory isn’t just possible, it’s easy to do. Affirmations are a great way to get you primed, ready and accepting of the idea that you already have the ability to improve your mind’s power to remember. Start every morning off with an affirmation, such as “My memory gets better every day, and whenever I need to, I’m able to effortlessly recall places, people and events!”

Step Two: Focus on Imagery, Not Repetition

Unfortunately for those of us who weren’t born with a photographic memory, we were taught grueling study practices in school. New languages, vocabulary and complex mathematical equations were only learned through repetition (and by using hundreds of flash cards to land the grade!).

If you’re serious about achieving a photographic memory, start flexing your imagination muscle! Practice using imagery to remember a person, place or thing and you’ll immediately see amazing results.

So, for example, if you have a list of random facts such as: 1) bat; 2) cowboy hat; 3) laughing little girl; 4) gun; 5) shoe, and you want to learn how to remember this list in order as it appears above, then create a vivid image of each in your mind.

What does that bat look like? What color is that cowboy hat?

What kind of laugh does that little girl have—a cackle or a roaring laughter? What kind of gun do you see? What style of shoe do you see, and who is the designer?

When you focus on imagery, you can vastly increase your chances of remembering random lists! The more you practice and (here’s the key) the more vivid your image for each item on your list becomes, the stronger your ability to recall anything and everything! When you equate each person, thing or place with an image, a photographic memory does truly become effortless—with a fulfilling life to show for it!

So, what are you waiting for?

Amaze others, and most importantly, amaze yourself with the ability to read books while remembering every tiny detail of what you’ve read, remember people’s phone numbers without having to search through your contact list, or tell jokes like a pro!

Your mind is truly the most powerful tool at your disposal, and when you put your attention and focus on improving your photographic memory, you’ll see, feel, experience, and best of all, remember everything in your life as you’re meant to—clearly!

Are you anxious about being anxious? Do you feel like your health is being affected by the stress you experience in your work life or personal life? Do you wish for nothing more than to experience the “Om” of inner peace instead of the panicky “OMG!” you normally feel? Where there is a will, there is way, […]

Are you anxious about being anxious? Do you feel like your health is being affected by the stress you experience in your work life or personal life? Do you wish for nothing more than to experience the “Om” of inner peace instead of the panicky “OMG!” you normally feel?

Where there is a will, there is way, and these three relaxation techniques for anxiety have you covered. All it takes is a unique combination of quieting the mind, listening to the right type of music and then exercising your heart out. When you commit to our daily dose of instant relaxation, your usual panic mode should quickly morph into cruise control, so get ready to enjoy the ride!

Take a Meditation “Coffee Break”

There’s nothing more stressful than the daily grind (and nothing more anxiety-provoking than your daily commute!). That’s where, even for the busiest person, meditation is the go-to relaxation exercise. Do it in the car, your cubicle or the subway and get immediate results.

Just as long as you perform meditation correctly and consistently, you can make the world your platform for personal bliss. Close your eyes and focus on the mantra: “I am the peace I wish for the world, and as I feel love and joy, I experience love and joy everywhere I go.”

Breathe in and breathe out slowly, and repeat as many times as necessary until you begin to feel lighter, as though you are less weighed down by stress. Visualize your anxiety leaving your body with each exhale, and concentrate on images of love with each inhale. Repeat for up to 10 minutes.

Shut Off the Hard Rock Music, and Turn On Some Classical Tunes

Have you ever felt agitated after hearing death metal music, even when listening to it for a minute? Sure you have—and that’s because listening to loud, disruptive music can actually trigger thoughts of anger, frustration and anxiety.

On the other hand, listening to classical music has been shown to calm nerves, enhance performance, boost your mood and actually improve brain function. So, turn off the chatty talk radio you’re used to (which is usually just gossip about celebrities and chatter about depressing global news) and turn on an uplifting classic station.

Give yourself a week of being a devoted classical music lover, and you’ll immediately notice a difference in your ability to relax!

Get That Heart Pumping!

When you want to truly relax, a peaceful state of mind is all about the right combination of calm breathing and fast-moving steps. So, pick your (aerobic) poison! Whether you climb stairs, take a weekly kickboxing class, Zumba your heart out or take a bike ride out in the open air, moderate- to high-intensity exercise creates a relaxed state of mind for even the most anxious person.

Give credit where credit is due. When you get moving through any form of exercise, endorphins—your body’s mood boosters—are released and allow you to feel satisfied, focused and calm.

If you are sitting at a desk all day, anxious about your deadlines, your boss’s temper and your job security, kill two birds with one stone! Increase your heart rate by jogging, biking, or walking, and while you work on your fitness, you’ll immediately feel happier, more optimistic and, best of all, more relaxed about what the rest of your day holds.

Becoming relaxed isn’t always as easy as we would like it to be, but when you take action by exercising, performing mantra meditation and listening to feel-good tunes such as classical music, anything is possible, including a peaceful, relaxed state of mind!

Have you ever had a dream in which you were flying, then upon waking up thought, “Man, that felt awesome! I wish I could do that right now!”? Have you ever been curious about “the other side” after hearing your co-worker’s best friend have an out-of-body experience following her car accident? Here’s some good news for […]

Have you ever had a dream in which you were flying, then upon waking up thought, “Man, that felt awesome! I wish I could do that right now!”? Have you ever been curious about “the other side” after hearing your co-worker’s best friend have an out-of-body experience following her car accident? Here’s some good news for you—when you astral project, you can! Astral projection, which is the ability to have an out-of-body experience and travel to higher dimensions, is something that everyone has the opportunity to experience.

You may be wondering, “Why leave your body at all?” If that’s the case, consider what astral travel can do for you:

It will allow you to experience different planes of existence that your physical body cannot allow you to visit while awake.

It gives you the chance to leave your worry, stress, attitudes and anxiety behind.

You will experience the beautiful astral realms, which are unlike anything you’ve experienced before!

Whether you’re just a tiny bit curious about astral projection or dying to know what all the hype is about, know this—you’re always completely safe and in control, and what you will see, feel and experience in the astral realms will open up your perspective and expand your mind like nothing else. Here are some easy astral projection techniques for the beginner (which will soon make you an expert!).

Start with the Belly Breath

Just like lucid dreaming and meditation, successful astral projection (that is, being able to leave your body on command and travel to the astral realms) takes practice—but this is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get there!

Similar to lucid dreaming, astral travel requires an extremely relaxed body and mind. Begin deep belly breathing as you would during meditation (breathe from your abdomen and count to five, then exhale through your teeth as though you were making a hissing noise).

Binaural Beats for a Focused Mind

When you come to a point of relaxation, be careful not to stray into daydreaming mode, or to go into a deep slumber—this may take practice, but don’t give up! Studies have shown that out-of-body experiences tend to occur when your brain is at a higher brainwave frequency, which binaural beats can help you accomplish.

Binaural beats, which are recordings composed of high-pitched noises, can help you achieve a focused and relaxed mind—the perfect starting point for astral projection success!

Focus on a Magic 8 Ball (Really!)

This is where your imagination comes into play. If you have a hard time relaxing, this magic eight ball visualization should do the trick! With your eyes closed, imagine seeing one of those Magic 8 Balls from your childhood (the black ball with answers inside of it, remember)? Now, imagine that instead of answers, there are numbers inside it. Focus on them and count down, slowly, from ten: “Ten … nine … eight …”

By the time you are at one, if you don’t feel totally relaxed, count from ten again. If numbers don’t work well for you, you can use any image you’d like (the same image each time is better, as it will train your body to prepare for astral travel).

That Good Ol’ Tingling Feeling (You’re Almost There!)

What you’re hoping to achieve with the relaxation and countdown is a tingling feeling going up and down throughout your body, similar to what it feels like when your foot falls asleep. You’ll begin to feel a surge of energy at this point, which comes from the astral planes.

Maintain constant deep breathing and focus on what you’re feeling. You may hear a noise that sounds like a crack, but this is a good thing and nothing to be afraid of—it’s your physical body departing for new and breathtaking dimensions!

Staring Down at Yourself

As you begin to leave your body, expect to hear a collection of noises such as cracks, pops and running water. Keep your mind focused by visualizing yourself leaving your physical body and rising up to the ceiling.

Begin to open your eyes while still holding onto the visualization of being up in the ceiling. You will be able to “take off” and see yourself from up above, sleeping down below! Then, explore the vast, breathtaking, unbelievably beautiful astral realms. It’s unlike anything of this world.

While astral travel does take a little bit of practice, breathing correctly, binaural beats and visualization turn that practice into astral projection perfection! You’ll be able to experience that amazing “light as air” feeling that will allow you to disengage from your worries.

You’ll be able to eradicate any fear of death you may have, because you’ll see what those beings (even deceased loved ones) have to teach you about “the other side.” On top of that, anything you wish you could be on the Earthly plane you can experience “over there!”